8 Video Game Leaks That Changed EVERYTHING

In April 2020, roughly two months before the release of The Last of Us Part II, extensive gameplay videos were leaked online, spoiling what would ultimately be some of the game's most pivotal story moments.

This included the unexpected death of Joel at the hands of Abby in the sequel's first few hours, and with many fans seeing this footage devoid of its ultimate context, an air of disdain was created before the game had even been released.

Many frustrated by Joel's death directed their ire at Naughty Dog on social media in deeply toxic and hateful ways, ensuring the well of discourse was firmly poisoned before the game was in players' hands.

Now, of course there's nothing inherently wrong with being disappointed by this story decision, but discussion about the game already skewed intensely negative prior to release because of the leak, and so steering the conversation in a less-vitriolic direction was an uphill battle.

Above all else, The Last of Us Part II was a staggering example of how leaks can irreversibly impact a game's reception. 

Sure, Joel's death would've always been polarising, but two months of "fans" raging about the leaked footage combined with social media's tendency to reward negativity ensured that the discourse was forever tainted by a tiresome air of anger.